Electric-battery cell.



J. H. GUGLBR. ELECTRIC BATTERY CELL.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 3, 1909.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913 4 BHEETBSHEET l.

Q/Vi blesses J. H. GUGLER.

ELECTRIC BATTERY CELL. APPLICATION TILED MAYS, 1000.

Patented M21124, 1913.

4 BHEETSSHEBT 2.

Qvagmmw J fibd k GUGLER.

ELECTRIC BATTERY CELL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1909.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHBET 3.

A L MTA r:

J. H. GUGLER. ELECTRIC BATTERY CELL.

- APPLIGATION'FILED MAY3,1909. 1,055, 1 5, Patented Mar. 4, 191,3.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Clifonuzv Bill bilz I 1515:; E5; mz vai 1: 1:15;

JULIUS H. GUGLEB, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

ELECTRIC-BATTERY CELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Pat on ted Mar. 4, 1913.

Application filed May 3, 1909. Serial No. 493,465.

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, J umus ll. (ilJHLl-Jlt, ol Minneapolis, Minnesota, have invented an Electric-Battery Cell, ot-which the followin is a specification.

y invention relates to electric primary batteries and has for its object to provide an improved cell that will facilitate the convenient application. and insure the most complete consumption of the. active element in a primary cell, and it is partirularly' use ful in connection with the imcnlion described in my U. 5 Patent. No. 9383M), issued November 2, L905). To this end i provide a battery jar with its bottom or resting point for active elements arranged in the shape of a V or trough with sides and ends that extend to the wall ol the jar outwardly and to a crown for the negative element toward the center of the ja r. The

arrangementnay be such that one or any number of multiple plates may be setln the jar and find, their proper place by sliding by their own weight to the proper position and making electrical connection with one or more common leads. The arrangement is such that it will cause any small or irregular piece of the active element which may be putin the cell to slide into proper position for useful work and llml a good electrical contact. Any fragments of the active element that may fall from the main body as it becoi'ncs disintegrated will liliewise be utilized. ll also prtwide in my inn proved cell 11 eans for insuring a good elcw trical connection from a multiple set of plates to a load common to all plates. in cases where a mulliplc-elemcnt cell is used,

.I further provide a transverse trough or gutter at one side of the cell uniting the several troughs corresponding to the several anodes, and forming a low-resista1nwe connecting-means for the circuit-lead. ln addition, I also provide a groove at the bottom of said transverse trough or gutter of such size as to tit the wire circuit-l-ad which is laid therein, so that said circuitlead lies at the very bottom of the trough,

I and it is held in this position positively by engagement of the projecting ends of the (anodes, thus insuring at all times perfect electrical contact between the latter and said lead. The other features ot my invention are the provision ofinternal ribs on the sides of the jar which act to support the aimde-plates'and hold them in close relation to the cathode; the special structure and formation ol' the covenplate; and certain projecting lugs whereby the cathode is maintained in position against lateral displacement.

ltly improved cell is adapted to be made in the form of either a single concentric cell, a single llat cell, a multiple-electrode cell, or a n till-iplc-set'ies cell, and these sev eral forms are illustrated in the accompany ing drawings, wherein,

lfiigures l and 2 are respectively a longitudinal section and a plan through the concentric torm; Figs. 3, -l and 5 are respectively a transverse section on the plane 3 of Fig. 4, a longitudinal section on the plane 4 ol Fig. 5, and a plan 'view, of the flat form of cell, parts being broken away in Figs. l. and 5; l ig. 4 is a longittulinal section on the plane 4' of Fig. 5 on a larger scale of the rightdiand lower corner of this form of cell, to illustrate the'manncr ol holding the wire circuit-lead in position; Figs. (3 and 7 are respcrtivclv a transverse section and a planv through the multiple-electrode form of cell, parts being broken away; Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, ot a mullipheserics cell; alul l ig. 9 is a plan view thereof with a ,part of the cover broke away.

In these drawings the same part is desigualed by the same reference letter or numeral in each figure.

llet'erring first to Figs. 1 and l, Bdcsignatcs the jar or container, A designates the anodeand O the cathode, said elenu-nts being' contained one within the other as shown.

inan annular trough 0 formed at the boltom of the jail I) by providing a raised center 1)", this latter forming a platform or rest for the cathode ,l, which is here shown in the form of a cup having corrugated or ribbed sides'r. The anode is made to approach the cathode very closely and is sepa rated therefrom by a perforated cylindrical plate 1) of insulating material. Within the cathode-cup (J is contained a depolarizing solution (not shown), for the action of which the corrugated walls of the cup form a very large amount of active surface. \Vithin'the annular trough I) is placed-a quantity of mercury E, in which the lower end of the anode rests and which serves to keep it constantly amalgamated, provided through holes in the scparating plate.

it is zinc, as is ordinarily the case, and furthermore to form a thorough and perfect electrical contact with the circuit-lead F, the lower end of which dips into the mercury as shown at f. A somewhat similar arrangement of elements is shown in the invention described in my U 5. Patent No. 938,663, issued November 2, 1909; but the importantnovel feaure here shown is the arrangement of the trough 5 whereby a minimum quantity of mercury is made to serve the purpose and keep all of the zinc constantly amalgamated as well as to maintain a good electrical contact with fragments of zinc which may fall down from the main body the plate becomes decomposed and thus util ze said fragments which would. otherwise be Wasted. This is accom plished by giving the trough Z) a ii-shaped form, the sides being made to converge toward the bottom at a steep angle, said angle being in excess of the angle of repose of the zinc thereon, which is necessarily a high angle when the zinc is immersed in liquid owing to the buoying effect of the latter. At one point of the circumference of the trough a rectangular recess 6 is formed therein to accommodate the end f of the wire F. The cathode, which is here supposed to be of porous carbon, is here shown as provided with a terminal post 0 in which. is sunk a metal plug 0 at the bottom of a well 0 containing oil G, the latter being covered by a cover-cap H throughone. sidc of which passes a circuit-lead I which is connected to the plug 0 in any suitable manner; said connector-device does not how ever constitute a part of my present inven- .tion, as it is fully described and claimed. in

my copending United States application No. 473,637, filed January 22, 1909. In. Figs. 3, 1- and 5 is shown a flat battery-cell comprising a rectangular jar B, a rectangular cup-shaped cathode C mounted inthe center thereof upon a raised platform 7%, and a pair of anode plates A flanking the cathode and separated therefrom by perforated separating-plates D. The side walls of the cathode-element as shown are made thin and corrugated. as in Fi g. l to present a large amount of active surface for the action of the depolarizing solution or liquid J which in the operation of the battery is contained Within the cathode cup. The sop arating-platcs D' are formed with a plurality of ribs d of small thickness on the anode-side the use ofwhich is advisable to prevent any fragments of the anode from cathode The is formed with small coming in contact with the raised platform I) raised beads on its side-edges to hold in place a soft-rubber cushion b which is preferably placed between the jar and the cathode tdprevent small pieces ofth'e' latter from being chipped olf. Further, lugs 0 b are formed on the ends of the platform I)" and fit in corresponding recesses in the bottom-edges of the cathode, as shown, to hold the latter in place. At the sides of the platform 52* are V-shaped troughs Z)" containing mercury E, into which thc'botl om edges of the anode plates dip as in thc'tirst form described.- These troughs are connected at one end by a transverse trough 6 which has a groove Z) at the bot-- tom slightly below the level of the bottoms of the troughs .7), to receive the end f of the circuit-lead F. This lead as shown ex tends down the wall of the cell at one corner and the end f is bent at right angles so as to run along horizontally in groove Z)", the bottom edges of the anode-plates extending" over it and holding it in place, as clearly shown in Figs. l, 4: and The mercury of course fills the trough b as well the trough 72, and the wire f being at the bottom thereof cannot possibly rise above the mercury-level, however little there may be in the trough. Besides, the groove l) is slightly shallower than the diameter of the wire f, so that the latter projects slightly above it and causes the projecting edges of the anodes to rest thereon, forming directuictallic contact and positively maintaining the wire at the bott, m of the groove, all as clearly shown' in 4t. Thus a firm, constant and low-resistance connection is provided between the lead and anodes. The anodes are held in place againstthe sides of the cathode by means of upright ribs Z2 formed on the inner sides of the These ribs are extended to near the top of the jar, their upper ends 6 forming resting sur faces for the cover-plate K which is cut out centrally as shown to allow the upper end of the cathode to pass through; this latter having separate covers M, N of its own, on one of which is mounted the terminal post m provided with a terminal connector m while the other is provided with a handle a to enable it to be readily manipulated.

These cover-plates have wedge-shaped lugs in, a which project into the upper end of the cathode and by wedging between them form a tight cylindrical connectioin The object in having two cover-plates is to enable the interior of the cathode to be inspected and refilled with depolarizcr from time to time, which is done by removing the small plate N without disturbing the circuit-connection. Near the bottom andjust above the mercury in the trough 6 is formed a. lug 0' for drawblf cock 0 whereby the battery-liquid can lie-readily drawn off when exhaustedl in Figs 6, and 7 is shown a cell having a "multiple disposition of elements arranged in the same manner as in Figs. 3, t and 5; As

the elements A, C and separating-plates D the attachment of ahear it 1 e a 1 e .5

the transverse trough b in Figs. 3, it. and

and having the end f of the circuit-lead F disposed at the bottom thereof as previously.

A draw-oil cock 0 disposed in similar relation to the cock 0 is also provided.

In'Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a multiple cell constructed on the same principles, the samev constituting in ellect a plurality of the cells shown in Figs. 3, 4 and disposed side by side and having all the jars l3 a single -jar ill, but the col nected togsher "for convenu the cells by tubular passe; through the rays Q. passing inlcrcell walls :5" and be 5 as long and as small in diameter as possib so as to i'niiiimize leakage current, while enabling the liquid in all the ells to be drawn oil' at once through a draw-oil. coclr O". The cells are connected to 'cther in series by con'nectingdeads l extenduio' from the terminal posts m of the [."lll'illlll on one cell to the mercury-bath of the next cell as slu'nvn; S and T-designating the circifMoods, "yhirh are connected respectively to the last carbon and zinc of the r 'peetive endrclls.

From the above (less ipti it will be readily seen that my invention may assume a variety of torms all embodying the same principles, and that a gri it number o1" changes and modifications are ossible in thc nonessentials witluiut departi w Man the spirit of my invention, he in particularly defined in my c l Having thus describe l my 1 i I claim as new and desire to seizure by Leters Patent is:

1. A battery-cell compr inp in combiicr tion, a or container harm. a. rail-led. plat form in the base thereof and a trough disposcd below and at the side olf said platform,

a cathode supported'on said platform. u quan .ercury in said trough J anode at he side ot said cathode and dip;

said mercury, and a pcrl'omhsi plate disposed between said lliuhln, :atluiidc.

in oiubinzu A battery-cell comprising, tion, a jar or container, at cup-sha iaml disposed midway mliiveeu the sides a pair of separating-plates on said cathode, a pair of anode-pious posed on the outerfsides of said scpuraii: plates, vertical ribs projecting ii in the in wall of said container and uiult'iltlgj a the outer sides of said anode-plans so a.

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hold them against said separating-plates and the latter againstsaid cathode, the upper ends of said ribs terminating below the upper edge of said cathode, and a cover-plate resting on the upper ends of said ribs and cut away in the center to allow the cathode to pass through the same. 7

3. A. lnilun'y-eell comprising, in combina tion, ajar or container having a trough at each side thereof, a cathode, mercury in said troughs, anode-plates flanking said cathode and dipping into said mercury, a transverse trough connecting said troughs and in which the mercury also is contained, and a circuit-lead dipping into the mercury and having its end disposed longitudinally along the bottom of said last-named trough.

l. A battery-cell comprising, in combination, a jar or container having a trough at each side thereof, a cathode, mercury in said troughs,anode-plates flanking said cathode and dipping into said mercury, a transverse trough connecting said troughs and in which the mercury also is contained, said lastnamed trough having also a longitudinal groove or depression at the bottom thereof extending below the bottoms of the other troughs, and a circuitdead dipping into said mercury and having its end disposed longitudinally of said trough and lying in said groove.

5. A. liuutcry-cell comprising, in combination, a ja r or container having a trough at each side thereof, a cathode, mercury in said tr ughs, anode-plates flanking said cavity and dipping into said mercury, a. transverse trough connecting said troughs and in which the mercury also is contained, said lastuainrd trough having also a longitudinal grows or depression at the bottom thereof cxtenuing below the limits of the said hs, and a circuit-lead di ipinginto said mercury and having its end disposed longiludiually o'l. :dltl trough and lying in said groove, the edges of said anode-plates overlying said circuit-lead and holding the some in place.

(3. A lmltery-jur formed with a raised platform in the bottom thereof flanked by troughs at opposite sides thcreot, and a transverse trough connecting said hrsttransverse trough connecting, all the other troughs; there being also a groove along the bottom of said transverse trough and lying below the bottoms of the other troughs.

9. In combination, a battery-jar having a plurality of parallel V-shaped troughs in the bottom thereof, a transverse trough crossing the ends of said first-named. troughs, and a groove in the bottom of said last-named trough below the level of the bottoms of said first-named troughs; a Wire lead lying in said groove, and a plurality of metal platesresting in said firstnamed troughs and overlying said wire-lead and resting upon the latter 'so as to hold it in position.

10. In a battery cell, the combination of a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, a quantity of mercury, a container invvhich all of said elements are disposed, and an electrical conductor independent of said anode lead-' ing' out of the cell and electrically con- 4 nectedwith said mercury; said mercury .lying at the bottom of said container and said anode and cathode being immersed in the electrolyte, the bottom of said container sloping at all points not covered by the cathode at an angle steeper than the angle of repose of the anode material in the electrolyte to the level of the mercury an thereby forming a receptacle With converging sides adapted to receive fragments of the anode, and also dipping in the mercury; whereby any loose anode material placed in the cell or falling from said anode is caused to slide until-it makes electrical contact With said mercury.

11. The combination of a battery-jar formed With two or more parallel troughs and a transverse trough connecting them,

.anodamembers disposed in the respective parallel tro'ughs, a quantity of mercury in said troughs electrically-connecting said anode members, and an electric conductor dipping in said transverse trough.

12. The combination of a. battery-jar formed with a plurality of parallel troughs. in the bottom thereof and a transverse trough connecting said first-named troughs and having a groove extending along-the bottom thereof, an electrical conductor disposed in said groove, a plurality of anode members resting. in said troughs, and a quantity of mercury disposed in said troughs and connecting all. of said anode members With said conductor.

13. The combination of a battery-jar having a plurality of parallel disposed anode-members and a transverse groove in its bottom below said. anode-members, and. a metallic circuitlead lying in said groove and projecting above the top thereof Whereby said anode members rest permanently in contact therewith.

14-. The combination of a battery-jar having in its .bottom a plurality of parallel troughs and a transverse trough connecting them, a quantity of mercury contained in said troughs, a metallic circuit lead lying along the bottom of said transverse /trough, and a plurality of anode members resting in said parallel troughs and having their ends extending into said transverse trough and resting upon said circuitlead.

15. In a battery-cell, the combination of a container having a mercury-sump in the bottom with diverging sides sloping at an guided by striking said sloping sides to the bottom, thereoeing immediately over the tween whicht-heanode is adapted to be containedand one of which separates the anode from the cathode,.said. parallel walls together with said sump forming the anode compartment whereby the anode material cannot reach the cathode, an anode in said compartment resting on the bottom thereof and dipping in said sump, a quantity of mercury in said sump, and an electric con-' ductor dipping in said mercury and adapted to convey the current generated by the cell In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of April, 1909.

- JULIUS H. GUGLER.

Witnesses:

Gaonen W. COLLES, VILIIELMINA D. Sontnnnnm.

angle in excess of the angle of repose of.

aforesaid sloping bottom parallel Walls be- 9 

